Cynthia Ingelfinger fondly recalls a family vacation when she was a teen visiting Yellowstone and Teton national parks.

She got to meet a naturalist who took people to his research site and she got to measure a fish.

“I couldn’t believe he was doing this for a living,” she said.

That experience along with time spent visiting a family cabin on a lake in Connecticut where her mother took her on walks to watch birds and look at mushrooms gave her an appreciation for the outdoors, but also seem to have an impact on her desire to work in the outdoors.

Ingelfinger recently joined the Whitefish Lake Institute as its science and eduction coordinator. She previously worked for the Flathead Conservation District where she was the assistant conservationist.

At the institute, Ingelfinger will assist with field work, education programs and coordinate the Northwest Montana Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Network, which recruits and trains citizen scientist volunteers to monitor water quality, identify and report aquatic invasive species and promotes watershed stewardship in northwest Montana.

“Cynthia’s background, education, and passion for water resource protection are well aligned with WLI’s mission and goals,” says Mike Koopal, the institute’s executive director. “We are particularly excited to have Cynthia apply her skill set to coordinate the Northwest Montana Lakes Volunteer Monitoring Network and conduct WLI’s baseline field work.”

While she enjoyed her time with the conservation district, Ingelfinger said she’s excited for the opportunity to spend more time working with students of all ages.

“Whitefish Lake and its tributaries are important,” she said. “I’m excited to do more field work, to educate students, landowners and others about the science of water quality monitoring.”

She also looks forward to the chance to get outdoors whether doing trail work at the institute’s interpretive nature trail off Wisconsin Avenue or heading out on the boat with volunteers for the lake monitoring network.

Prior to her work at the Flathead Conservation District, Ingelfinger was an outreach coordinator for the Ipswich River Watershed Association and prior to that, a research associate for the wilderness society — both in Massachusetts.

Ingelfinger earned a bachelor of arts degree in environmental studies from Brown University, a master of science in the field naturalist program from the University of Vermont, and completed a one year professional residency in environmental education at the Teton Science School.

Institute science and education director Lori Curtis says Ingelfinger is knowledgeable about scientific research processes and has experience integrating science, fieldwork, critical thinking and public outreach.

“She is an excellent communicator and writer, and has experience with grant writing and educational program development,” Curtis said. “Cynthia is a welcome addition to our small staff and has the knowledge to immediately contribute to our education and outreach goals.”